Van driver

Van drivers deliver goods to customers’ premises.

Work activities

Most van drivers collect items at one place and deliver them to another. They usually drive commercial vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes and handle “light” goods. Light goods can cover a wide variety of items from bouquets of flowers and milk bottles to furniture and carpets.

The van driver sorts out the schedule and loads the van so that the goods are arranged in order of delivery. They unload the goods at the customer’s premises, get a receipt and sometimes take payment for the goods. Drivers have to complete records, time sheets and other paperwork. The work is routine at times but can be pressurised when there are deadlines to meet. Van drivers are expected to keep their vans clean and tidy.

Some van drivers are responsible for sales as well as delivery. They will usually have an area in which they visit all customers and potential customers, taking orders and delivering goods. Many drivers are often responsible for increasing sales and deciding which items to carry and promote. While some drivers only travel within a local area, others drive long distances throughout the country and spend short periods away from home. Some drivers have to wear a uniform.

Personal qualities and skills

To do this job well, you’ll need:

• To enjoy driving.
• People skills for when dealing with customers.
• To be able to work to a schedule, coping with any delays and emergencies.
• Honesty, reliability and punctuality.

Selling skills are becoming a more important part of many van drivers’ roles. Coupled with that, you’ll need to feel comfortable taking payments. If you are loading and unloading heavy goods, you need to be physically fit.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Van drivers earn in the range of £16,500 a year, rising to £27,000 with experience.

Van drivers usually work up to 42 hours per week, but may be required to work irregular hours, with early starts, late finishes, and weekend work.

Part-time/casual work may be available. Longer hours are worked at busy times, for example, at Christmas.

Employers throughout the UK include parcel distribution companies, manufacturers, wholesalers and government departments. Opportunities for van drivers occur with operators in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Opportunities occur for van drivers to become self-employed, and some work on a franchise basis for a company such as DPD. They pay a set weekly franchise fee or give a percentage of their earnings to the franchisor, in return for marketing/branding and other business support.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job and Find an Apprenticeship services.

Entry routes and training

An intermediate apprenticeship as an urban driver is a great place to start. Van drivers will need to have a full, clean driving licence.

There is usually little formal training, although larger companies may run short introductory courses for new entrants. Drivers learn their routes alone or are taught the job and the route by experienced drivers or supervisors. This takes anything from a couple of days to a few weeks.

Van drivers can move into other areas of driving following training, such as large goods vehicles (LGV), or passenger carrying vehicles (PCV), such as buses and coaches.

Qualifications

If you wish to enter this career through an intermediate apprenticeship, you will need to be 16 with GCSEs including English and maths, although you may be able to complete these on the programme if you don’t already have them.

A clean, current driving licence is needed, although the type of driving licence required depends on the type of vehicle. The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) provides more information on licences. Some employers require a specific number of years of driving experience.

Adult opportunities

Age limits apply to this occupation. The minimum age for driving small vans is 17. Higher age limits apply depending on the size of vehicle driven.

Van drivers need to be fit and able to cope with some lifting duties. Previous driving, customer service or retail experience is useful. Some employers ask for several years’ driving experience.

A background in the road transport industry, for example, as a delivery assistant or warehouse assistant, can be helpful.

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